Burial-casket-lowering device.



No. 642,953. Patented Feb. 6, I900. M. J. CAMERON. BUBIAL CASKET LOWERING DEViCE.

(Application filed Nov. '18, 1899.)

(No Model.)

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PATENT MITCHELL J. CAMERON, OF AUBURN, NEW YORK. A

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 642,958, dated February 6, 1900.

Application filed November 13 1899. Serial No. 736,758. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, MITCHELL J CAMERON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Auburn, county of Cayuga, State of New York, have invented anew and useful Improvement in Burial-Casket-Lowerin g Devices, of which the following is a specification, reference bein g had to the accompanying drawings, on one sheet, making part of this specification.

My invention relates to improvements in burial-casket-lowering devices in which a framework provided with shafts at either side for unwinding and winding in the straps or cords used in lowering the burial-casket is placed on the ground immediately over the grave, said shafts being operated and controlled by a mechanism connected with said framework in such manner as to be actuated and controlled by the operator, and it is to this said shaft operating and controlling mechanism that my improvement particularly relates. In most of the present appliances it is found that some trouble is caused and time consumed when unforeseen exigencies have arisen through the caving in of the earth at the sides or ends of the grave while the casket was being lowered therein; also, that the act of operating the mechanism entailed an unnecessary exertion 0n the part of the operatorincommensurate not only with his own dignity and the solemnity of the occasion, but provocative of undue curiosity among the spectators. It has also been found adesirable feature to be enabled to quickly and effectually wind in the lowering straps or cords when the casket has been lowered to its place in the grave.

The objects of my improvement are, first, to afford means whereby the burial-casket can readily be disengaged or Withdrawn in case of obstruction due to the caving in of the earth about the grave when such a proceeding is deemed expedient; second, to provide for the expeditious withdrawal and winding up of the lowering straps or cords when the burialcasket shall have been deposited at the bottom of the grave and the said lowering straps or cords released or detached from under the same, and, third, to provide brake appliances controlling the descent of the burial-casket that may be effectually operated by the foot of the operator and that will meet any emergency in the case of breakage of parts as well, while he is enabled to preserve an erect and respectful posture befitting the occasion during the process of lowering the said casket.

I attain the above-mentioned objects by the mechanism shown in the accompanying drawings, on one sheet, in which- Figure 1 is a semisectional plan view of my improvements, taken approximately on the dotted line y y of Fig. 2, and shows one corner of the framework of a burial-casket-lowering device with the improvements applied thereon. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same corner shown in Fig. 1 with my improvements thereon; and Fig. 3 is a vertical section of my divided brake-drum and brake-band, taken on the dotted line 03, shown in Fig. 1. In this figure the screw-shaft and Wheel by which it is turned are also seen.

Similar figures of reference relate to similar parts in the several views.

Referring to Fig. 1, 1 represents a portion of one corner of a burial-casket-lowering device, to which is secured a boxing 2 by the bolts 3 3 The two sides of the corner referred to are further connected by the angled tie-piece t in the position and manner shown. A corner-plate 5 (shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1) is suitably fixed on the upper corner of the boxing 2, as seen, and a hinged lid 6, Fig. 2, is hinged to the casing of the framework and rests on the boxing 2, thus covering and protecting the mechanism hereinafter described.

A vertical shaft 7 (see Fig. 2) is provided and pivoted at its bottom end to the bottom of the boxing 2 by a trunnion-pin S on aline parallel with the sides of saidboxing and permitting the said vertical shaft 7 to rock transversely thereto. The upper and exposed end of said vertical shaft 7 is squared, as shown at 9, to admit of the placing of a hand-crank thereon. In suitable working place on the said vertical shaft 7 is properly secured the worm 10. At the top corner of the boxing 2 is secured the corner-plate 5, already mentioned, which is furnished with a slot 11, (see Fig. 1,) in which the upper part of the Vertical shaft 7 travels. Near the top and on the end of the boxing 2 is secured a flat spring 13, to which is pivoted a lock-pin 12 in such position as to pass through a hole provided in the boxing 2 beneath the corner-plate 5 and cut across thepath of the vertical shaft 7 the purpose of which arrangement will presently be seen.

A main shaft 14 is provided and has bearings at either end of the boxing 2, as seen in Fig. 1. This main shaft 14 is connected with and transmits motion to the shaft 15, which carries pulleys, to which the lowering straps or cords are affixed at one side of the lowering device by means of a common clutch 16, as seen in Fig. 1, which is thus interposed to prevent the transmission of any springing or other strain which may be made on the shaft 15 to the main shaft 14, which might thus disturb the proper alinement of the latter. The said main shaft 14 is extended outward beyond the boxing 2 and carries a sprocketwheel 17, which is connected by a sprocketchain 18 with a like sprocketwheel on the extended end of an opposite shaft, also carrying pulleys, to which the opposite lowering straps or cords are aiiixed on the opposite side of the framework of the lowering device, which latter parts it has not been deemed of importance to show. The end of the main shaft 14 extending beyond the sprocketwheel 17 is turned into square shape for the placement thereon of the hand crank 19. (Shown in dotted lines.) Another shaft 20 is provided in the boxing in horizontal alinement with the main shaft 14, its ends being supported by lugs turned inwardly from the boxing 2 for that purpose, as seen.

Opposite the worm 10 and in position for engaging with the same is carried the wormgear 21, which is made fastito the spur gearwheel 22,both being affixed to the main shaft 14 and turning with it, as shown. On the shaft 20 and in position to engage with the gearwheel 22 is placed the pinion 23, which is affixed to the spur gear-wheel 24, both turning on the shaft 20, the said shaft 20 being preferably fixed in its position. The spur gearwheel 24 next engages with another pinion 25, which'is affixed to one division 26 of the divided brakedrum and with it turns on the shaft 14 already mentioned. A second division 26 of the brake-drum is keyed fast on the shaft 14, as shown at 27. An outer brake-band 2S,preferably of m etal,is arranged around both divisions of the brake-drum, an interval being left between the ends thereof to admit of its action, as plainly shown in Fig. 3. It is provided with an inner band 29 throughout its length, which may be of leather or similar material. The outside brake-band 28 is provided at its ends with pieces 30, having feet riveted thereto and holes for the passage of a screw-shaft 31, one end of which is furnished with a nut 32, which draws against one of the pieces 30, as shown, when the brakeband is tightened by the action of the screwshaft 31 in the nut 32. The screw-shaft 31 is carried in a suitable bearing provided on the side of the boxing 2, as seen in Fig. 1, and

has fixed on its outer end a brake-wheel 33,

foot may find a ready purchase thereon, I

have provided the ends of the spokes 34 with caps or pads 35, as seen in Fig. 2.

Having thus far set forth the mechanical arrangement of my improvement, I will now describe the operation of the several parts of the same. When during the process of lowering a burial-casket into the grave the earth surrounding the sides of the latter becomes disturbed and begins to cave in and it is found expedient to withdraw the casket, the worm 10 of the vertical shaft 7, which during the process of lowering has been disengaged, is immediately thrown into engagement with the worm-gear 21 and its vertical shaft locked in position by the lock-pin 12. The hand-crank 19 is then applied to the squared end of the vertical shaft, and by turning it in the proper direction the operator is enabled to carefully and steadily raise the casket with as little further disturbance to the earth as possible and then lift it away in order that the grave may be cleared. When all is again in readiness to lower the casket in the grave, the worm 10 of the vertical shaft 7 is thrown out of engagement with the wormgear 21 by releasing the lock-pin 12 and pushing the vertical shaft 7 outward in the slot 11 of the corner-plate 5 and there looking it with the lock-pin already mentioned. Prior to this operation the brake-band has been tightened on the divided brake-drum, which has served to retain the burial-casket from descending. The operator now has simply to release the tension of the brake-band on the divided brake-drum by placing his foot on the pads of the spokes of the brake-wheel, which extend above the horizontal-surface plane of the boxing, and turning the latter sufiiciently for the purpose, when the casket gradually descends. In an erect posture the operator thus controls the rapidity of descent of the burial-casket into the grave without going through the motions of turning a crank, as has sometimes been the case.

The action of the divided brake-drum is peculiarly sensitive, and it will be observed when the brake-band is applied that the action of the loose division thereof is to retard the direction of motion, or, in other words, to backlash the train of gearing through its connection with the pinion 25, and that the action of the division 26 of the brake-drum when the brake-band is applied is directly upon the main shaft 14, to which it is secured. Should anydisturbance or breakage occur to the gearing-train or to the division 26 of said brake-drum, it only becomes necessary for the operator to increase the tension of the brake-band, which will act more powerfully on the fixed division 26, and thus serve to control the descent of the burial-casket until it has reached its resting-place. It will thus be seen that the braking power due to this arrangement of parts is of a distributive character throughout the lowering mechanism, and that, while sensitive and readily controllable, provision is made for a portion of its continuance at least should accident occur.

Having thus described the several parts of my improvements in detail and their mode of operation, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, 1s-

1. In a burial-casket-lowering device a vertical shaft having a worm, and pivoted at its bottom end so said vertical shaft and worm may be moved outward or inward, and means for retaining the same in either position; providing means for turning said vertical shaft and the main shaft of the lowering mechanism on the outer side of the boxing; a brakedrum divided diametrically in two parts or divisions one of which said divisions is made fast to the gearing and loose on said main shaft, and the other division made fast to said main shaft; and a brake-band on the outer sides of both of said divisions of said brakedrum, and means for controllingthe same on the outer side of the boxing substantially in the manner and for the purpose herein de scribed and shown. I

2. In a burial-casket-lowering device aboxing 2, attached to the framework 1, and having a cornerpiece 5, provided with a slot 11, a cover 6, hinged on its top side and a spring 13, provided with a pivoted lock-pin 12, in combination with a vertical shaft 7, carrying a worm 10, pivoted at its bottom end in said boxing 2; the main shaft 14, adapted at one end to turn the shaft 15, having the lowering straps or cords of one side of the framework, attached thereto, and carrying the worm-gear 21, and the spur gear-wheel 22, fastened together thereon, the pinion 25, and the division 26, of the diametrically-divided brake-drum fastened together and loose thereon, and the division 26, of said diametrically divided brake-drum fast thereon, said main shaft 14, being supported in bearings formed in said boxing 2; the shaft 20, carrying the pinion 23, and the spur gear-wheel 24, fastened together and loose thereon, said shaft 20, being supported in lugs formed on said boxing 2; and the screw-shaft 31, actuating the brakeband 28, and having the brake-wheel 33, provided with spokes 34, said screw-shaft 31, being carried in a bearing on said boxing 2, substantially in the manner and for the purpose herein shown and described.

3. In a burial-casket-lowerin g device the vertical shaft 7, having its bottom end pivoted in the bottom of the boxing 2, and its upper end adapted to receive a hand-crank and carrying a worm adapted to actuate the wormgear 21, of the main shaft 14, connected with the shaft 15, to which the lowering straps or cords are attached at one side of the frame work, in combination with a corner-piece 5, having a slot 11, in which said vertical shaft is adapted to move, and a lock-pin 12, pivoted to a flat spring 13, and adapted to retain said vertical shaft 7, in desired place in said slot 11, of said corner-piece 5, substantially in the manner and for the purpose herein shown and described.

4. In a burial-casket1owering device the vertical shaft 7, havingits bottom end pivoted in the bottom of the boxing 2, and its upper end adapted to receive a hand-crank and carrying a worm between the said ends in combination with the main shaft 14, mounted in bearings of the boxing 2, having one end adapted to receive a hand-crank and the other end adapted to turnthe shaft 15, to which the lowering straps or cords are attached on one side of the framework, and carrying a wormgear 21, and the spur gear-wheel 22, fastened together on said main shaft 14, the pinion 25, and the division 26, of the diametrically-divided brake drum fastended together but loose on said main shaft 14, and the division 26, of said diametrically-divided brake-drum fast on said main shaft 14; and a shaft 20,supported in lugs of the boxing 2, and carrying the pinion 23, and the spur gear-wheel 24, fastened together and loose on said shaft 20, substantiallyin the manner and for the purpose herein described and shown.

5. In a burial-casket-lowering device a diametrically-divided brake-drum one division of which is carried loose upon the main shaft 14, and connected with the pinion 25, and the other division of which is carried on and fastened to said main shaft 14, in combination with a brake-band 28, having an inner lining 29, and the screw-shaft 31, provided with a brake-wheel 33, having spokes 34, terminated with caps or pads 35, adapted to be actuated substantially in the manner and for the purpose herein described and shown.

6. In a burial-casket-lowering device the boxing 2, attached to the framework 1, having a corner-piece 5, provided with the slot 11; a spring 13, having a pivoted lock-pin 12; a pivot-point at the bottom for pivoting the vertical shaft 7, provided with a worm 10, adapted to operate the worm-gear 21, and extended above the surface of said boxing and adapted to receive a hand-crank; bearin gs for the main shaft 14, having one end extended beyond the end of said boxing and adapted to receive a hand-crank and having the wormgear 21, and the spur gear-wheel 22, fastened together on said shaft, the pinion 25, and the division 26,0f the diametrically-divided brakedrum fastened together and loose on said shaft, and the division 26, of said divided brakedrum fastened on said shaft, the other end of which is adapted to turn the shaft 15, to which I3o t shaft 31, of the brake-band and having a brake-wheel 33, provided with spokes extending above the surface of said boxing and adapted to operate said brake-band, arranged and combined to operate substantially in the manner and for the purpose herein specified and shown.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand, at Auburn, Cayuga county, New York, this 10th day of November, A. D. 1899. lo

MITCHELL J. CAMERON.

Witnesses:

A. L. I'IEMINGXVAY, M. E. BROOKS. 

